Thailand To Offer Sex Offenders Reduced Prison Time If They Agree To Be Castrated
The castration will be carried out through injections that will reduce testosterone levels.
By Jasmine Chea — 14 Jul 2022, 03:03 PM
145 senators in Thailand have given their approval to pass a bill on Monday, 11 July, that allows the voluntary chemical castration of convicted sex offenders
Sex offenders who are at high risk of re-offending will be given the option of getting chemically castrated. And in return, their prison sentence will be reduced.
According to Global News, chemical castration reduces testosterone levels in the body, which will lead to a lower sex drive.
Thailand's parliament approves new Bill offering chemical castration to sex offenders.
Image via The New PaperOffenders must get the approval of two doctors before being able to choose to be castrated
According to the Bangkok Post, offenders will need a prescription from a psychiatrist and an internal medicine specialist before the option is availed to them.
They will also need to be monitored for 10 years following the castration and must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet on their person.
Justice Minister of Thailand Somsak Thepsuthin is supportive of the chemical castration bill
Although the bill is still in the process of getting another house vote and a royal endorsement, Thepsuthin is eager see this law being passed as soon as possible.
"I don't want to see news about bad things happening to women again," he added.
Bangkok Post also reported, based on a 2013 study by the Public Health Minister of Thailand, there were 31,886 reported rape cases that year alone. According to the study, one rape happens every 15 minutes in Thailand, averaging 87 cases per day.
However, not everyone is supportive of the bill
Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation director Jaded Chouwilai has expressed his concerns about the bill.
He said that chemical castration isn't a viable way to deal with sex crimes. It shows that prisoners can no longer be rehabilitated.
"Convicts should be rehabilitated by changing their mindset while in prison," he said.
Thai inmates taking part in exercise in prison. Human rights activist groups push for rehabilitation of inmates, not harsh punishments.
Image via Sakchai Lalit/AP News